They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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They say an age gap of nnn years doesn’t even warrant checking compatibility.
Chapter 100
The moment Kailyb becomes king, Bardia will relive the nightmares of its past.
After all, he is a man with no interest in protecting anyone.
“Then….”
“Of course, I myself am hardly suited for the throne either. Max has made quite the mess of things.”
The King of Bardia returned the documents to the box and gazed at me.
“I understand your meaning well.”
“Are there others who know of this document?”
The King of Bardia nodded at my question.
“Two people heard the late king’s final will together. And their descendants know of this testament’s existence.”
“Who are they?”
“Are you perhaps thinking of eliminating the witnesses and evidence?”
The King of Bardia regarded me with suspicious eyes.
“No.”
Of course, depending on how the other party behaves, I could resort to persuasion or coercion, but I wouldn’t kill them outright.
“Don’t worry and tell me.”
The King of Bardia studied my expression carefully before hesitating and finally speaking.
“Duke Balder and Marquis Libran.”
Aisen Balder, and Emilio Libran.
Both were marked as key figures in the materials Kei had prepared for me.
‘Duke Balder was said to be someone who supports Elhart.’
The problem lay with the other person—Marquis Emilio Libran.
He was precisely the sort who would eagerly sell the nation down the river.
A man wielding tremendous power, controlling the political sphere—the very figurehead of all traitors.
“I understand. I should meet with them.”
The King of Bardia’s eyes wavered slightly as he looked at me.
‘If he mistakenly believed I was the one who turned the Cradian Palace upside down, he’d naturally be anxious.’
It seemed he suspected I might employ such violent methods here in Bardia’s capital as well.
‘But I’m not the sort of person who resolves everything through brute force.’
Whenever I could resolve matters through words, I preferred to do so.
In Brin County, I hadn’t shed a single drop of blood, had I?
“The Royal Palace… please try not to destroy it and preserve it well.”
“Of course.”
“The nation’s finances are not in good shape.”
“….”
Honestly, I’m telling you I won’t destroy it.
“Then, Ser Brin.”
Elhart, who had remained silent throughout the reading of Max’s will, finally spoke after a long pause.
Now that I thought about it, he was the one whose throne should have been his, only to have it stolen by either me or Kailyb.
For a man who had sacrificed his entire life to protect his nation and people, this moment carried a hollowness that was almost unbearable.
The King’s gaze upon his son was cautious and measured.
I too waited for his words, my own nerves taut with anticipation.
But what emerged from Elhart’s lips was….
“If you become King, we have no problem at all, do we?”
“…?”
“There’s no need to part ways. Right?”
Had he worn that grave expression this entire time because of this?
“….”
The King looked equally bewildered.
Elhart gripped my hand firmly and spoke to the King.
“Father, since I’ve already been stripped of my status as Crown Prince, I believe it would be better for me to become a Knight of the Realm instead. I willingly accept this fate.”
The King, who had been studying his son intently, turned to me with a question.
“What am I to do with that boy?”
“Well… I’m not entirely sure myself.”
“Handle it as you see fit. In all my years, I’ve never managed to break that son’s stubbornness.”
The King shook his head, his face suddenly appearing years older.
“Wait a moment.”
With those words, the King stepped into the adjacent room and returned shortly with a large box.
He then handed it to me.
“Your Majesty, what is this?”
“A homecoming gift, if you will.”
“…?”
Before I could even open it, the King turned away.
“An old man needs his rest, so take your time and enjoy yourselves before you depart.”
And with a speed that made one question whether he truly needed that cane, he retreated to his bedroom.
Thud.
The door closed, leaving Elhart and me in the quiet solitude of the chamber.
I stole a glance at Elhart.
He had been so composed when laying bare his heart, yet now my face burned with belated embarrassment.
“I wonder what this could be?”
In an attempt to shift the mood, I picked up the box and settled beside him on the sofa.
“Surely the King didn’t bestow upon us some royal treasure?”
As I lifted the lid with a light jest, I froze entirely.
“…This is…”
Inside the box lay a single object wrapped in purple cloth.
Cold metal gleaming with an ethereal light.
The seal carved upon it was far too familiar.
“The Imperial Seal…?”
Elhart too appeared utterly taken aback.
I picked it up carefully.
The weight felt as though three centuries had been added to it.
“Why would you….”
“It means I’m entrusting it to you.”
Elhart spoke, looking at me.
“The throne to you. And everything that can be done with a king’s authority.”
This was his answer to my request for military and administrative authority across the entire kingdom.
And on the other hand.
‘He’s telling me to choose.’
I understood why the King hadn’t placed the royal seal directly into my hands and spoken the words aloud.
That would have been a command.
I placed the seal back into its box and closed the lid.
Then I put it away in my spatial pouch.
“I’ll use it well and return it.”
Elhart let out a soft laugh at my words.
“I don’t think you’ll need to return it.”
“I’m only borrowing it for now.”
I rose from my seat immediately.
“Is there anywhere you need to stop by before we leave? Anything you need to gather?”
“I only need you.”
….
This was serious.
I could feel it wasn’t exaggeration or jest—it was genuine.
Through the hand he held, Elhart’s earnestness seemed to grip my heart and wring it out.
His mana, growing sweeter and sweeter, settled deep within my lungs.
“If you promise never to leave me, I can become anything.”
His golden eyes curved as they filled with the sight of me.
“Whether king or kingdom. Even if you told me to spend my entire life as nothing but a nameless castle wall.”
….
Wasn’t this… wrong?
I was suddenly bewildered by the fact that I was the one who had changed Elhart so completely.
Perhaps sensing something odd about me staring silently without response, he bent down to peer at my face.
“Ser…? Don’t tell me you were lying in front of Father?”
“No, it’s not that.”
I pulled his hand and led him toward the bookshelf that concealed the secret passage.
‘When you learn the last secret I haven’t told you, how will things change between us?’
Will they stay the same?
Or will they be different?
Since Kailyb and Raern already know, it will be impossible to keep hiding it forever.
In that case, it would be better to tell him myself.
I didn’t know when or how to bring it up.
It felt somewhat frightening, if I’m being honest.
‘Does a person truly become such a coward when they care for someone?’
Here I was, someone who had always lived doing whatever I pleased, now becoming so cautious and deliberate.
It seemed Elhart had changed me quite considerably as well.
Elhart pushed the bookshelf aside, revealing the hidden door.
“You’re back already?”
“Did your conversation go well?”
Raern and Kei greeted us from beyond the threshold.
“Yeah, well….”
“Hmm?”
Kei noticed something off about my response and narrowed his eyes as he studied me.
“Did the Prince ask you to break things off?”
“…Where did that come from?”
I’d mentioned ending things at an appropriate time, but instead it seemed he was trying to push his son onto me.
‘It felt like he was telling me to take responsibility.’
“Then what did you come all this way to discuss?”
“To get permission for what we’re about to do. Isn’t that obvious?”
Kei and Raern hesitated, then exchanged glances with each other.
“Now that you mention it, that does make sense.”
“So it was only Mikhail who got away with acting first and reporting later.”
Mikhail and I were close enough to be informal with each other, but I couldn’t do the same with the King.
“So you received his permission?”
I nodded in response to Kei’s question.
“He gave me the royal seal and told me to handle it as I see fit.”
“…?”
“…!!”
Their reaction was exactly the same as mine.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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